stevens



(No Model.) r 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

'H.B.STE VENS. MAGHINB FOR HULLING AND POLISHI NG COFFEE, RIGE, 8w.

Patented Oct. 9, 1883.

N. PETERS. Pmtwm n nm Wan-1mm. Ac.

. S N E V E m S H MAGHINE FOR HULLING AND POLISHING COFFEE, RIUB, 8w.

Patented Oct. 9, 1883.

fication.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY B. STEVENS, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE L.

SQUIER, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHlNE FORHULLING AND POLISHING COFFEE, RICE, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 286,499, dated October 9, 1883.

Application filed February 2, 18852. (No model.)

State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Hulling and Polishing Coffee, Rice, and other Seeds and Grains, of which the following is a speci- This invention relates to animprovement in machines for hulling coffee and similar grains or seeds, and has for its object to produce a simple, strong, and effective machine, whereby the inclosing hulls or shells are detached from the berries or kernels without crushing or bruising the latter.

My invention consists of the improvements in the construction of the machine, which will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is a side elevation, and

Fig. 2 a front elevation, of my improved machine; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section, and Fig. 4 a horizontal section, of the machine on, an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 isa cross-section of the machlne on an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is adetached cross-section of the bottom of the casing. Fig. .7 is a top plan view of the feedhopper. Fig. 8 is a view of the frame containing the roller-bearings. Fig. 9 is a crosssection on line a: m, Fig. 4.

Like letters of reference refer to. like parts in each of the figures.

.A represents the end frames, which support the casing 1-3 of the machine.

C 0 represent two rollers, arranged face to face in the casing B, and provided with shafts c 0, respectively. The shaft 0 of the roller G is journaled in bearings D, which are secured in frames F, resting on the end frames, A, and the shaft 0 of the roller Cis journaled in bearin gs E, which are made ad j ustablein the frames F toward and from the roller 0. As shown in .the drawings, the frames F and the side.

that when the adj ustable bearings E are in contact with said stops, as represented in Fig. 4, the roller journaled in said bearings has approached the stationary roller 0 as closely as is necessaryto effect the desired operation, and is by these stops preventedfrom approaching the stationary roller too closely..

g 9 represent two horizontal adj ustingscrews, which are provided at their outer ends with hand wheels g, and which pass loosely through the outer portions of the frames F. The inner threaded portions of these screws work in threaded washers or nuts h, and the inner ends of these screws bear against the adjustable bearings E.

It represents a spring, of rubber or other suitable materiahinterposed between each hot it and the outer portion of the frames F, whereby the adjusting-screw g is pressed outwardly against the bearing E and the latter against the stop f. By turning the screw in one or the other direction, the spring is compressed or released, and the pressure against the movable bearing and the resistance against outward movement of the roller 0 are correspondingly increased or reduced.

I is the driving-pulley, mounted on one end of the shaft 0 of the stationary roller 0, and i i are two spur-wheels mounted on the shafts of both rollers, whereby both rollers are rotated with the same speed.

j are longitudinal ribs or corrugations formed on the faces of the rollers G G in such a manner that the ribs mesh as the rollers rotate, without, however, coming in contact with each other, as represented in Fig. 5, whereby a free space is formed for the passage of the grain between the adjacent corrugated faces of the rollers. The ribs j have preferably a slight spiral twist, as shown, in order to propel the material from the feed end toward the discharge end of the case B at the same time that it is operated upon by the rollers.

K represents the cover which closes the casing B, and L is the feed-hopper, which is supported upon the cover K, and which penetrates the same with its feed-pipe Z, so as to discharge the grain or other material to be treated between the adjacent faces of the rollers, near one end of the case B.

m is the feed-slide, which is adjustably se- A hopper and prevents it from assuming the above it and shut off the feed.

the board a in the hopper the continuity of form of a compact mass, which covers the discharge-orifice and prevents the material from passing into the same. The board at extends partially through the feed-hopper and divides the material in the same, so that it cannot form a complete arch. \Vheu the grain is moist, it often happens that the grain forms a complete arch over the discharge-orifice of the feed-hopper,which arch will support the grain By placing the arch is broken and the arching of the grain prevented.

O 0 represent two hinged frames which constitute the bottom of the casing B, and which are preferably covered with wire-cloth or perforated sheet metal when the machine is used on material from which fine dust is liberated. The frames 0 are hinged to the side pieces, I), of the casing B at p, and are fastened at their opposite ends by catches or clamps 1). Upon releasing the latter the frames 0 can be swung down, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5, so as to discharge the material resting on the same in the casing B. The frames 0 are pref erably constructed of cast metal and separated by a cross-bar, g, which is cast with or secured to the casing B. If desired, however, the frames 0 may be composed of or covered with imperforatematerial. curved, so as to present two intersecting concave surfaces on their upper sides, the surface 0 being concentric with the stationary roller 0, and the inner portion of the surface 0 being concentric with the roller 0, while its outer portion is elongated to permit of the movement of the roller 0 away from the roller 0. A portion of the cover K may be made removable or transparent, to enable the operator to observe the operation of the rollers and regulate the feed accordingly.

The feed is so regulated that there will be at all times a small hilloek or mound of ma terial between the rollers. The latter are so adjusted that under no circumstances can they come in contact, and the springs applied to the bearings of the movable roller permit the latter to recede from the stationary roller if the pressure should become too great. The coffee or other grain or material to be operated upon is hulled or polished by contactwith the ribs of the rollers and by the attrition of the kernels against each other and against the casing'B, there being sufficient space between the rollers themselves and be tween the rollers and the bottom, sides, and

The frames 0 are cover. of the casing to permit the kernels to pass through between and around the rollers without being broken. The twist of the spiral ribs propels the material from the feed end toward the disehargeorificer, which is formed in the rear wall of the casing B. If straight ribs are employed, the casing should be slightly inclined toward the discharge-orifice, to produce the movement of the material through the casing by gravity. The grain or other material operated upon passes downward between the adjacent corrugated faces of the rollers, between which it is squeezed, pressed, and rubbed, and is then moved outward over the concave surfaces 0 0 of the bottom of the casing toward the sidewalls, I), of the casing, and lifted'by the ribs or corrugations of the rollers on the outer sides thereof, and returned between the rollers, while at the same time gradually approaching the discharge-orifice. In this manner the grain or other material is repeatedly passed between the'rollers and operated upon by the same in its passage through the casing B from its feed-spout Z to its discharge-orifice 1', whereby a thorough and complete hulling or scouring of the grain is effected. The cover K is raised above the rollers, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby a free space is formed above the rollers in which the grain can accumulate, and from which it passes be tween the rollers without being cut or bruised. When a perforated bottom is employed, the dust and other finematerial which is loosened from the grain escapes through the perforations in the bottom. The grain may, however, be sifted after having been treated in this machine, in order to effect the desired separation. If the material is not sufficiently hulled orpolished after being run once through the machine, it may be run through a second time; but ordinarily a single treatment is sufficient.

I'claim as my invention- 1. In a hulling, polishing, or scouring machine, the combination of a pair of rollers, both provided with longitudinal ribs or corrugations, with the ribs of one roller standing opposite the spaces between the ribs of the other roller, means whereby the rollers are rotated with equal speed, means whereby the rollers are prevented from coming in contact with each other, and a casing in which the rollers rotate, having a'feed and discharge device at opposite ends and a free space above the rollers for the return of the material which has escaped from the rollers, whereby the grains or seeds are repeatedly subjected to the squeezing and rubbing action of the rollers without being cut or crushed, substantially as set forth.

2. In a hulling, polishing, or scouring machine, the combination of a pair of rollers, both provided with longitudinal ribs or corrugations, with the ribs of one roller projecting into the spaces between the ribs of the other roller, means whereby the rollers are rotated with equal speed, and means whereby they are prevented from coming in contact with each other and a perforated casing in which the rollers rotate, having a feed and discharge device at opposite ends, substantially as set forth. V v

3. In a hulling, polishing, or scouring machine, the combination of a pair of rollers,

both provided with longitudinal ribs or eorrugations, with the ribs of one roller projecting into the spaces between the ribs of the other roller, means whereby the rollers are rotated with equal speed, and means whereby they are prevented from coming in contact with each other, a casing in which the rollers rotate, having afeed and discharge device at opposite ends, and a bottom composed of two concave perforated surfaces inclosing the lower portions of the rollers, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the feed-hopper L, of a ertical board or bar, n, which extends partially through the hopper, and whereby the material in the feed-hopper is divided and the choking of the feed is prevented, substantially as set forth.

H. B. STEVENS.

itnesses: L

JNO. J. BONNER, EDW. J. BRADY. 

